Decahedral anatase titania particles immobilized on zeolitic materials for photocatalytic degradation of VOC

Abstract

Decahedral anatase titania particles (DAPs) immobilized on zeolites (zeolite/DAP hybrids), have been prepared by the first time. DAPs have been synthesized from titanium chloride (TiCl4) through a gas-phase reaction process by rapid heating and quenching. DAPs with well-defined {101} and {001} facets were synthetized and dispersed onto the zeolites. The incorporation of an 8wt% of DAPs into the zeolites has been achieved by means of the freezing-drying technique. Two types of zeolites (ZSM-5 and zeolite Y) with different SiO2/Al2O3 contents have been selected as adsorbents. The photocatalytic properties for the degradation of representative volatile organic compounds (VOC), i.e. acetaldehyde, formaldehyde or trichloroethylene were analyzed under batch and continuous flow reactors. Raw materials and composites were characterized by SEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, zeta potential and the amount of VOC adsorbed was measured at dynamic conditions. Zeolite/DAP hybrids combine the textural and crystalline properties of zeolite and DAPs phases. The zeolite type (crystal structure, SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and surface net charge) play a relevant role in the dispersion of DAPs. Zeolite/DAP composites show better photocatalytic performance than those prepared with commercial TiO2 due to the presence of {001} facets in the former. The composites prepared with hydrophobic ZSM-5 and DAPs, are the most versatile materials for photooxidation of aldehydes and organochloride compounds, with substantially less formation of non-desirable reaction products respect to those based on benchmark TiO2.